http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/12550/of-shouldnt-forced-371209/
Brendan Kelly2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/12550/of-shouldnt-forced-371209/Of course they shouldn’t be forced. No one should hold a gun to their head.

If they choose not to break the seal of the confessional they should have the right to go to prison as is the right of any law breaker. Waterboarding them to force them to talk should be completely out of the question.

]]><p>Of course they shouldn’t be forced. No one should hold a gun to their head. </p>
<p>If they choose not to break the seal of the confessional they should have the right to go to prison as is the right of any law breaker. Waterboarding them to force them to talk should be completely out of the question.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/29710/i-cannot-imagine-perpetrators-child-abuse-types-attend-371217/
Marty Simpson2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/29710/i-cannot-imagine-perpetrators-child-abuse-types-attend-371217/I cannot imagine perpetrators of child abuse to be the types to attend confession anyway… It’s a dwindling sacrament….]]><p>I cannot imagine perpetrators of child abuse to be the types to attend confession anyway… It’s a dwindling sacrament….</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/23446/confession-moral-victims-deserve-rights-guilty-371218/
maurice frazer2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/23446/confession-moral-victims-deserve-rights-guilty-371218/Confession is a moral right, but victims deserve rights even more than the guilty.]]><p>Confession is a moral right, but victims deserve rights even more than the guilty.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/23446/oops-forgot-say-yes-confession-moral-victims-deserve-371221/
maurice frazer2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/23446/oops-forgot-say-yes-confession-moral-victims-deserve-371221/Oops forgot to say Yes! Confession is a moral right, but victims deserve rights even more than the guilty.]]><p>Oops forgot to say Yes! Confession is a moral right, but victims deserve rights even more than the guilty.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/10776/as-phil-say-its-law-land-371232/
Kerry Blake2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/10776/as-phil-say-its-law-land-371232/As big Phil would say it’s the law of the land.]]><p>As big Phil would say it’s the law of the land.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/14687/priests-didnt-gardai-own-why-anyone-anyone-else-371235/
Conor Heffernan2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/14687/priests-didnt-gardai-own-why-anyone-anyone-else-371235/the priests didnt go to the gardai when their own were at it, why would anyone think that they are going to do it for anyone else.]]><p>the priests didnt go to the gardai when their own were at it, why would anyone think that they are going to do it for anyone else.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/32194/im-apprehensive-yes-i-confession-religious-custom-i-371242/
Brendan Williamson2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/32194/im-apprehensive-yes-i-confession-religious-custom-i-371242/I’m an apprehensive yes, I know confession is a religious custom and I don’t believe in stamping on that for the sake of it, but there’s no paper trail proving someone went to confession, and someone under investigation isn’t going to admit they went, especially under this law. I don’t think any priest will have to go to trial over this one.

The only thing this will stop is conversations between the clergy that will be claimed to have been under the seal of confession, conversations regarding cover ups relocations and the like. The Vatican have refused point blank to assist the Gardai in any investigations, refused to hand over paperwork or any documents, and this legislation will stop it. If we had given them a loophole they would have abused. It’s their fault we took away their confession.

On a more serious note, does this legislation cover Doctor-Patient confidentiality? For example between a psychologist and client?

]]><p>I’m an apprehensive yes, I know confession is a religious custom and I don’t believe in stamping on that for the sake of it, but there’s no paper trail proving someone went to confession, and someone under investigation isn’t going to admit they went, especially under this law. I don’t think any priest will have to go to trial over this one.</p>
<p>The only thing this will stop is conversations between the clergy that will be claimed to have been under the seal of confession, conversations regarding cover ups relocations and the like. The Vatican have refused point blank to assist the Gardai in any investigations, refused to hand over paperwork or any documents, and this legislation will stop it. If we had given them a loophole they would have abused. It’s their fault we took away their confession.</p>
<p>On a more serious note, does this legislation cover Doctor-Patient confidentiality? For example between a psychologist and client?</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/10535/anyone-believes-telling-sins-confession-forgive-walk-clear-371244/
Mags Cunney2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/10535/anyone-believes-telling-sins-confession-forgive-walk-clear-371244/Anyone who believes telling “sins” in confession will forgive them can walk out with a clear conscience, and know if they offend again it’s no big deal. They can confess and be forgiven by the priest again and again. Religious beliefs do not take precedence over the law.]]><p>Anyone who believes telling “sins” in confession will forgive them can walk out with a clear conscience, and know if they offend again it’s no big deal. They can confess and be forgiven by the priest again and again. Religious beliefs do not take precedence over the law.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/19774/does-anyone-full-limitations-law-if-young-student-371246/
John Turkey2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/19774/does-anyone-full-limitations-law-if-young-student-371246/Does anyone know the full limitations of this law? If a young student hears that two 15 year old classmates were “intimate” with each other then could she be sent to prison for five years for not reporting it?]]><p>Does anyone know the full limitations of this law? If a young student hears that two 15 year old classmates were “intimate” with each other then could she be sent to prison for five years for not reporting it?</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/27825/one-arguments-having-faith-religion-gives-moral-framework-371247/
Anita Tuesley2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/27825/one-arguments-having-faith-religion-gives-moral-framework-371247/One of the arguments for having Faith is that Religion gives us a moral framework to live by. Why then exempt Priests from upholding one of the most basic of moral standards – to protect children from abuse? Of course they should suffer the same consequences as anybody else for what amounts to protecting abusers instead of the abused. I’m sick of religious tenets overriding law. As an atheist, if I were to cover up abuse or voice prejudice against a particular race or a homosexual I would be rightfully held to account, but if I were a Christian, this abhorrent behavior would be excused. So being a Priest or a Christian exempts people from behaving morally. What rubbish!]]><p>One of the arguments for having Faith is that Religion gives us a moral framework to live by. Why then exempt Priests from upholding one of the most basic of moral standards – to protect children from abuse? Of course they should suffer the same consequences as anybody else for what amounts to protecting abusers instead of the abused. I’m sick of religious tenets overriding law. As an atheist, if I were to cover up abuse or voice prejudice against a particular race or a homosexual I would be rightfully held to account, but if I were a Christian, this abhorrent behavior would be excused. So being a Priest or a Christian exempts people from behaving morally. What rubbish!</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/14944/if-priest-show-feel-knowing-someone-confession-box-371252/
Michael O'Byrne2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/14944/if-priest-show-feel-knowing-someone-confession-box-371252/If you were a priest show would you feel knowing that someone who left the confession box was likely to head off and abuse some child again. Should a person in that position either warn the person concerned to leave that employment or change their circumstances and monitor the guilty party someway. Seems strange to me an abuser can just walk into confession and out again and thats that.]]><p>If you were a priest show would you feel knowing that someone who left the confession box was likely to head off and abuse some child again. Should a person in that position either warn the person concerned to leave that employment or change their circumstances and monitor the guilty party someway. Seems strange to me an abuser can just walk into confession and out again and thats that.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/3619/anyone-thinks-religious-freedoms-trump-law-land-deluding-371257/
Ruaidhrí2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/3619/anyone-thinks-religious-freedoms-trump-law-land-deluding-371257/Anyone who thinks their religious freedoms can trump the law of the land are deluding themselves.

Beating children is an offence, despite the biblical laws which command people to not spare the rod. We don’t allow female genital mutilation despite the fact that it is a religious/cultural behaviour for some.

To use an example where no one is harmed, the Irish state does not allow people to use marijuana for their personal use? I don’t hear many complaining that they are trampling the religious rights of Rastafarians.

Of course that’s an example of a victimless crime, which is still punishable by the state.

Failure to report abuse is NOT a victimless crime. Anyone who fails to report abuse is enabling future abuse to occur.

Anyone who breaks this law should be facing jail time as they are morally partly culpable for allowing further abuse to occur.

The priests who think their mumbo-jumbo “inviolable seal” has a higher priority than stopping the continued abuse or future abuse of children has some very twisted moral sense, to the point of it being nearly sociopathic. No empathy or concern for the victims of abuse, no desire to prevent suffering, just a cold and irrational desire to protect empty rituals above the welfare of human beings.

]]><p>Anyone who thinks their religious freedoms can trump the law of the land are deluding themselves. </p>
<p>Beating children is an offence, despite the biblical laws which command people to not spare the rod. We don’t allow female genital mutilation despite the fact that it is a religious/cultural behaviour for some. </p>
<p>To use an example where no one is harmed, the Irish state does not allow people to use marijuana for their personal use? I don’t hear many complaining that they are trampling the religious rights of Rastafarians. </p>
<p>Of course that’s an example of a victimless crime, which is still punishable by the state. </p>
<p>Failure to report abuse is NOT a victimless crime. Anyone who fails to report abuse is enabling future abuse to occur. </p>
<p>Anyone who breaks this law should be facing jail time as they are morally partly culpable for allowing further abuse to occur. </p>
<p>The priests who think their mumbo-jumbo “inviolable seal” has a higher priority than stopping the continued abuse or future abuse of children has some very twisted moral sense, to the point of it being nearly sociopathic. No empathy or concern for the victims of abuse, no desire to prevent suffering, just a cold and irrational desire to protect empty rituals above the welfare of human beings.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/3992/cant-happening-honest-371286/
Liam Byrne2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/3992/cant-happening-honest-371286/Can’t see it happening to be honest. The priest would just deny any and all knowledge.]]><p>Can’t see it happening to be honest. The priest would just deny any and all knowledge.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/35417/realistically-cant-forced-371299/
Tara Byrne2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/35417/realistically-cant-forced-371299/Realistically they cant be forced to do it. But in a time where they have made a complete ruin out of the Catholic Church, they should be trying to redeem themselves. They all lied, and covered for PERVERTS already.. Its time for honesty now!]]><p>Realistically they cant be forced to do it. But in a time where they have made a complete ruin out of the Catholic Church, they should be trying to redeem themselves. They all lied, and covered for PERVERTS already.. Its time for honesty now!</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/6690/about-law-371307/
Eugene O'Rourke2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/6690/about-law-371307/About time this law came in. No religion should ever have more rights than the citizens of the state they are in, Personaly I would request from The Vatican to ask is the Catholic Church a religion or a State. The reason for this is that when it came to the Ryan Report The Vatican did not want to hand over documents as they were not requested by diplomatic channels etc etc. In my view if that is the way they want it fine, revoke all the Clergy of their Irish passports and they can be issued Vatican passports. If they break the laws of the land they operate in and will not help either jail them, remove them from the country or both. It would send out a message to the Catholic Church (and other religions if found to be acting in similar manner) we will not accept people in this country who do not abide by our State Laws. The people first (all the peoples) and religions second.]]><p>About time this law came in. No religion should ever have more rights than the citizens of the state they are in, Personaly I would request from The Vatican to ask is the Catholic Church a religion or a State. The reason for this is that when it came to the Ryan Report The Vatican did not want to hand over documents as they were not requested by diplomatic channels etc etc. In my view if that is the way they want it fine, revoke all the Clergy of their Irish passports and they can be issued Vatican passports. If they break the laws of the land they operate in and will not help either jail them, remove them from the country or both. It would send out a message to the Catholic Church (and other religions if found to be acting in similar manner) we will not accept people in this country who do not abide by our State Laws. The people first (all the peoples) and religions second.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/34458/can-i-ask-question-how-anyone-attends-mass-371311/
Martin Grehan2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/34458/can-i-ask-question-how-anyone-attends-mass-371311/Can I ask one question: How can anyone who attends mass or considers themselves a practicing Catholic continue to defend this, the indefensible?]]><p>Can I ask one question: How can anyone who attends mass or considers themselves a practicing Catholic continue to defend this, the indefensible?</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/35251/the-book-movie-prayer-dying-based-concept-371314/
Ed Redbird2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/35251/the-book-movie-prayer-dying-based-concept-371314/The book and movie ‘prayer for the dying’ was based on this concept.
The murder witnessing priest was silenced by the murderer going to confession. The abuse lies with the person committing the offence….
And as little respect as I have left for the RC church……their priest are bound to it….. the same way a doctor is in my opinion sometimes regrettably bound by his hypocratic oath]]><p>The book and movie ‘prayer for the dying’ was based on this concept.<br />
The murder witnessing priest was silenced by the murderer going to confession. The abuse lies with the person committing the offence….<br />
And as little respect as I have left for the RC church……their priest are bound to it….. the same way a doctor is in my opinion sometimes regrettably bound by his hypocratic oath</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/34528/there-nothing-mystical-holy-confessionits-man-sacrament-371318/
Caroline Molloy2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/34528/there-nothing-mystical-holy-confessionits-man-sacrament-371318/There is nothing mystical or holy about confession,it’s a man made sacrament.
What’s more it was made by men in silly hats and costumes.
If a clown withheld information from the Gardaí because an imaginary friend told him it was a secret, he would be sectioned or jailed. So it can and should be broken if a person is in danger.]]><p>There is nothing mystical or holy about confession,it’s a man made sacrament.<br />
What’s more it was made by men in silly hats and costumes.<br />
If a clown withheld information from the Gardaí because an imaginary friend told him it was a secret, he would be sectioned or jailed. So it can and should be broken if a person is in danger.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/2274/its-waste-law-371327/
Val Kearney2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/2274/its-waste-law-371327/Its a waste of a law really. All the priests will have to do is deny thats what they confessed. Whats next then when it doesn’t work, putting government microphones in confession boxes?]]><p>Its a waste of a law really. All the priests will have to do is deny thats what they confessed. Whats next then when it doesn’t work, putting government microphones in confession boxes?</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/34990/it-seem-empty-question-371333/
Povl Thim2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/34990/it-seem-empty-question-371333/It seem an empty question. How can you report to the Garda, on something. You’ve heard in confession? You have to be well known to the priest , for him to recognise you, otherwise it will only be hearsay which you can report on. Who will listen to such in a court of law?]]><p>It seem an empty question. How can you report to the Garda, on something. You’ve heard in confession? You have to be well known to the priest , for him to recognise you, otherwise it will only be hearsay which you can report on. Who will listen to such in a court of law?</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/29782/funny-vote-no-favour-priests-balls-say-why-371334/
Martin Mac2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/29782/funny-vote-no-favour-priests-balls-say-why-371334/Funny how 27% vote NO in favour of the priests but have not got the balls to say why on here!…why cause they know they are wrong but cant see the woods for the trees!]]><p>Funny how 27% vote NO in favour of the priests but have not got the balls to say why on here!…why cause they know they are wrong but cant see the woods for the trees!</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/35856/incredibly-silly-371337/
frank maguire2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/35856/incredibly-silly-371337/Incredibly silly. No good priest will violate the seal. I for one wont trust any priest who might violate the sacred trust of confession. I imagine a paedophile wont confess to a priest if he thinks h will b forced to report him. It actually pushes paedophiles further from getting the help they need.

That said the Church should issue guidelines for how a priest should deal with this situation. Ideally: withholding absolution (which often happens with a serious crime like murder) until the paedophile reports himself.
Absolution can only be granted if there is genuine remorse and a committment to not doing it again. Frgiveness from God often follows forgiveness from those who you have harmed and the best way to achieve that is prison.

]]><p>Incredibly silly. No good priest will violate the seal. I for one wont trust any priest who might violate the sacred trust of confession. I imagine a paedophile wont confess to a priest if he thinks h will b forced to report him. It actually pushes paedophiles further from getting the help they need. </p>
<p>That said the Church should issue guidelines for how a priest should deal with this situation. Ideally: withholding absolution (which often happens with a serious crime like murder) until the paedophile reports himself.<br />
Absolution can only be granted if there is genuine remorse and a committment to not doing it again. Frgiveness from God often follows forgiveness from those who you have harmed and the best way to achieve that is prison.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/22272/since-rights-innocent-child-seat-paedophile-the-church-371343/
Edward White2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/22272/since-rights-innocent-child-seat-paedophile-the-church-371343/Since when did the rights of an innocent child take a back seat to those of a paedophile? The Church is full of them and naturally they’re not going to break the sanctity of the confession box; the jails would never be able to cope with the influx.]]><p>Since when did the rights of an innocent child take a back seat to those of a paedophile? The Church is full of them and naturally they’re not going to break the sanctity of the confession box; the jails would never be able to cope with the influx.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/11926/much-i-say-yes-i-say-no-371361/
John Conniffe2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/11926/much-i-say-yes-i-say-no-371361/Much as I want to say Yes, I have to say No. Anything said in confidence has to remain in confidence. In a better world, it would be standard procedure for the priest to convince the person to admit the crime to a state organisation. We don’t live in a better world, but we have to act by the standards we want society to have.

I’m coming from the position of a non-believer, and I don’t mean to defend the Catholic Church. But a priest is not a representative of the justice system, and the division must remain clear.

]]><p>Much as I want to say Yes, I have to say No. Anything said in confidence has to remain in confidence. In a better world, it would be standard procedure for the priest to convince the person to admit the crime to a state organisation. We don’t live in a better world, but we have to act by the standards we want society to have.</p>
<p>I’m coming from the position of a non-believer, and I don’t mean to defend the Catholic Church. But a priest is not a representative of the justice system, and the division must remain clear.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/3407/forget-confession-371379/
Richard Carroll2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/3407/forget-confession-371379/Forget about confession. Shut down the churches, confiscate there assets, sell there assets, compensate the victims. Jail the criminal priests and those priests that harboured abusers. Provide the remaining priests with a backpack and send them off to do “Gods Work” in the community.]]><p>Forget about confession. Shut down the churches, confiscate there assets, sell there assets, compensate the victims. Jail the criminal priests and those priests that harboured abusers. Provide the remaining priests with a backpack and send them off to do “Gods Work” in the community.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/977/firstly-i-sideshow-eye-serious-matters-concerning-country-371384/
Nuala Mukadam2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/977/firstly-i-sideshow-eye-serious-matters-concerning-country-371384/Firstly, I think this is a sideshow to take our eye off all the more serious matters concerning the Country. How many crimes do you think would be solved if priests were to rush down to the Garda stations this morning and repeat all they heard? Not a lot in my opinion. Furthermore, NO RELIGION should be permitted to have more rights than the citizens of our Country. It is morally right for everyone to report any information they have on ANY crime committed in the state. The law should take into consideration any person who knowingly allowed a crime to be perpetrated and neglected to inform the authorities and that person should be held accountable as an accessory to the crime, be it against a person or property etc.]]><p>Firstly, I think this is a sideshow to take our eye off all the more serious matters concerning the Country. How many crimes do you think would be solved if priests were to rush down to the Garda stations this morning and repeat all they heard? Not a lot in my opinion. Furthermore, NO RELIGION should be permitted to have more rights than the citizens of our Country. It is morally right for everyone to report any information they have on ANY crime committed in the state. The law should take into consideration any person who knowingly allowed a crime to be perpetrated and neglected to inform the authorities and that person should be held accountable as an accessory to the crime, be it against a person or property etc.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/5395/it-amazing-bunch-cultists-vaguely-following-three-thousand-371389/
Ken O'Rourke2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/5395/it-amazing-bunch-cultists-vaguely-following-three-thousand-371389/It is pretty amazing that a bunch of cultists, vaguely following a three thousand year old fairystory (at least the parts that suits them), are so far above the law as to be able to get away with the most sickening of crimes scott free. It almost makes me wish there were such thing as an eternal damnation because some of these priests would be first in line.

As for the question, Priests should no longer be protected in their ability to withhold vital information regarding serious crimes and should be arrested for obstruction of justice if they do. Just like you or I would be in the same situation.

]]><p>It is pretty amazing that a bunch of cultists, vaguely following a three thousand year old fairystory (at least the parts that suits them), are so far above the law as to be able to get away with the most sickening of crimes scott free. It almost makes me wish there were such thing as an eternal damnation because some of these priests would be first in line. </p>
<p>As for the question, Priests should no longer be protected in their ability to withhold vital information regarding serious crimes and should be arrested for obstruction of justice if they do. Just like you or I would be in the same situation.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/32196/after-reading-peter-nolan-explanation-above-i-firmly-371392/
Jim Buckley Barrett2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/32196/after-reading-peter-nolan-explanation-above-i-firmly-371392/After Reading Peter Nolan explanation above I now firmly believe that priest should not be allowed to hide behind the confession box. The Government had to take these steps because simply the Church abused the rights of confession to hide their own philadelphia priests.

Peter Nolan: “I believe the reason for this measure was that the confessional was abused during the previous scandals. Discussions between abusive priests and their superiors on how to handle the situation were conducted in the context of the confessional so as to, so they thought, make those discussions confidential and inadmissible in any future court case.

This measure is more to do with closing that loophole than your common-or-garden confession (in which cases, anyway, the priest theoretically doesn’t even know how the person on the other side of the screen is).”

]]><p>After Reading Peter Nolan explanation above I now firmly believe that priest should not be allowed to hide behind the confession box. The Government had to take these steps because simply the Church abused the rights of confession to hide their own philadelphia priests.</p>
<p>Peter Nolan: “I believe the reason for this measure was that the confessional was abused during the previous scandals. Discussions between abusive priests and their superiors on how to handle the situation were conducted in the context of the confessional so as to, so they thought, make those discussions confidential and inadmissible in any future court case.</p>
<p>This measure is more to do with closing that loophole than your common-or-garden confession (in which cases, anyway, the priest theoretically doesn’t even know how the person on the other side of the screen is).”</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/5063/should-priest-garda-hearing-confession-corrupt-bankers-politicians-371412/
William Mcgee2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/5063/should-priest-garda-hearing-confession-corrupt-bankers-politicians-371412/Should the priest go to the garda after hearing the confession of the corrupt bankers and the politicians .]]><p>Should the priest go to the garda after hearing the confession of the corrupt bankers and the politicians .</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/17511/if-someone-goes-confession-says-mudered-person-i-371414/
David Barrett2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/17511/if-someone-goes-confession-says-mudered-person-i-371414/If someone goes to confession and says they mudered a person, I doubt the preist would tell him three our fathers and send him on his way. The preist would tell them to confess to the police if they want to be truely forgiven.
But would this law applie to Doctors,lawyers and psychologists?]]><p>If someone goes to confession and says they mudered a person, I doubt the preist would tell him three our fathers and send him on his way. The preist would tell them to confess to the police if they want to be truely forgiven.<br />
But would this law applie to Doctors,lawyers and psychologists?</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/35856/ruaidhryou-strong-although-exaggerating-amount-times-paedophile-protected-371428/
frank maguire2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/35856/ruaidhryou-strong-although-exaggerating-amount-times-paedophile-protected-371428/@ Ruaidhrí

you make a strong point although i think you might be exaggerating the amount of times a paedophile was protected by the seal of confession.

I still dont like the idea of the state obliging people to report every time they hear a serious crime has been committed. Confession is granted an exemption in most western countries throughout the world.

Practically speaking I dont see how it will work. Priests will not or should not break the seal. Perpetrators wont confess if they think it will be reported. Priests probably wont recognise their confessee.
Priests *should* require the perpetrator to confess to the law himself as part of the confession process.

]]><p>@ Ruaidhrí</p>
<p>you make a strong point although i think you might be exaggerating the amount of times a paedophile was protected by the seal of confession. </p>
<p>I still dont like the idea of the state obliging people to report every time they hear a serious crime has been committed. Confession is granted an exemption in most western countries throughout the world. </p>
<p>Practically speaking I dont see how it will work. Priests will not or should not break the seal. Perpetrators wont confess if they think it will be reported. Priests probably wont recognise their confessee.<br />
Priests *should* require the perpetrator to confess to the law himself as part of the confession process.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/22146/priests-wont-forced-anything-371447/
Adrian Hennessy2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/22146/priests-wont-forced-anything-371447/Priests wont be “forced” to do anything. Like any law, people have a choice to obey or not. So priest will have the choice to accept the indoctrination that confession is sacrosanct and choose not to report the offence…. or they can choose to obey the law of the country they reside in and report the crime. They themselves need to weight up the situation and decide if they are willing to do prison time to protect the identity of paedophiles. To my eyes, any church who would force a member to make this choice is guilty of persecution.]]><p>Priests wont be “forced” to do anything. Like any law, people have a choice to obey or not. So priest will have the choice to accept the indoctrination that confession is sacrosanct and choose not to report the offence…. or they can choose to obey the law of the country they reside in and report the crime. They themselves need to weight up the situation and decide if they are willing to do prison time to protect the identity of paedophiles. To my eyes, any church who would force a member to make this choice is guilty of persecution.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/28559/the-isnt-priests-reporting-child-abuse-priest-commiting-371471/
Mariposa Hada López2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/28559/the-isnt-priests-reporting-child-abuse-priest-commiting-371471/The problem isn’t the priests reporting child abuse but more the priest commiting said act. It’s the hierarchy that don’t report or punish.]]><p>The problem isn’t the priests reporting child abuse but more the priest commiting said act. It’s the hierarchy that don’t report or punish.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/7542/the-church-declaring-itself-above-state-law-child-371488/
Robin Hilliard2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/7542/the-church-declaring-itself-above-state-law-child-371488/The church declaring itself above state law on child abuse again?

That didn’t work out very well for anybody the last time, did it?

]]><p>The church declaring itself above state law on child abuse again?</p>
<p>That didn’t work out very well for anybody the last time, did it?</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/13755/cant-believe-question-needs-asked-371501/
B75842012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/13755/cant-believe-question-needs-asked-371501/Cant really believe the question even needs to be asked. Just because you have a collar around your neck means NOTHING.]]><p>Cant really believe the question even needs to be asked. Just because you have a collar around your neck means NOTHING.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/27067/i-faith-catholic-church-371541/
Mark Power2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/27067/i-faith-catholic-church-371541/I have no faith in the catholic church. I do not believe all priests are abusers, far from it, but for a priest refusing to report abuse is disgusting. The sanctity of confession be damned, we’re talking about lives being ruined by sexual abuse here. If the abuser feels remorse and wants to square it with a god, that’s his/her choice but the laws of the land must be adhered to. You commit the crime, you have to face the consequences of those actions. A priest refusing to report abuse is adding to the demise of the crumbling reputation of a church that has abused and covered up and denied same in the past. If one has information that could help with an investigation or even get one started then the person has an obligation of just a moral one to report it. If a priest does not then he can do all the masses in the world and no good will come of it. Holding ourself to a different standard by stating that the confessional is sacred is a cop-out and nothing more. If they want to live in the real world then take an active, positive and human part and report abusers. Abusers are not the ones that need protection. They need exposure and due process.
If this God they hold fast to has other opinions then he/she should show up and express them. Their book does say he has appeared before.]]><p>I have no faith in the catholic church. I do not believe all priests are abusers, far from it, but for a priest refusing to report abuse is disgusting. The sanctity of confession be damned, we’re talking about lives being ruined by sexual abuse here. If the abuser feels remorse and wants to square it with a god, that’s his/her choice but the laws of the land must be adhered to. You commit the crime, you have to face the consequences of those actions. A priest refusing to report abuse is adding to the demise of the crumbling reputation of a church that has abused and covered up and denied same in the past. If one has information that could help with an investigation or even get one started then the person has an obligation of just a moral one to report it. If a priest does not then he can do all the masses in the world and no good will come of it. Holding ourself to a different standard by stating that the confessional is sacred is a cop-out and nothing more. If they want to live in the real world then take an active, positive and human part and report abusers. Abusers are not the ones that need protection. They need exposure and due process.<br />
If this God they hold fast to has other opinions then he/she should show up and express them. Their book does say he has appeared before.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/8588/i-dont-anyone-else-i-thought-confessional-box-371564/
Tim Dowling2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/8588/i-dont-anyone-else-i-thought-confessional-box-371564/I don’t know about anyone else but I find the thought of going in to a confessional box and divulging my “sins” to a priest in the hope of receiving “forgiveness” is both patronising and morally neglectful.]]><p>I don’t know about anyone else but I find the thought of going in to a confessional box and divulging my “sins” to a priest in the hope of receiving “forgiveness” is both patronising and morally neglectful.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/10108/if-journalists-jailed-revealing-sources-criminal-matters-priests-371599/
Iain Murray2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/10108/if-journalists-jailed-revealing-sources-criminal-matters-priests-371599/If journalists can be jailed for not revealing sources in criminal matters then by not priests? They are not above the law. And they should have the moral cop on not to be trying to find ways to protect pedophiles, particularly at this point in time for the church.]]><p>If journalists can be jailed for not revealing sources in criminal matters then by not priests? They are not above the law. And they should have the moral cop on not to be trying to find ways to protect pedophiles, particularly at this point in time for the church.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/3882/forced-break-seal-confession-why-forced-keep-secret-371604/
Evan Murphy2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/3882/forced-break-seal-confession-why-forced-keep-secret-371604/“Forced to break the seal of confession”? … Why are they ‘forced’ to keep it a secret anyway? … It’s ridiculous, adhere to the law of the land and you’ll be fine. :-/]]><p>“Forced to break the seal of confession”? … Why are they ‘forced’ to keep it a secret anyway? … It’s ridiculous, adhere to the law of the land and you’ll be fine. :-/</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/7070/they-obliged-obey-law-everyone-else-difficult-understand-371605/
Joe Sixtwo2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/7070/they-obliged-obey-law-everyone-else-difficult-understand-371605/They are obliged to obey the law just like everyone else, what is so difficult to understand here?]]><p>They are obliged to obey the law just like everyone else, what is so difficult to understand here?</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/34531/and-journalists-refuse-divulge-criminal-sources-lawyers-rely-371688/
KhublaMcCann2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/34531/and-journalists-refuse-divulge-criminal-sources-lawyers-rely-371688/And when journalists refuse to divulge criminal sources or lawyers rely on client confidentiality they should also be prosecuted…Odious as the conduct of the Roman Church has been down the years, do we really want this to be the thin of a very intrusive wedge?]]><p>And when journalists refuse to divulge criminal sources or lawyers rely on client confidentiality they should also be prosecuted…Odious as the conduct of the Roman Church has been down the years, do we really want this to be the thin of a very intrusive wedge?</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/36076/this-does-affect-silence-accused-person-spouse-required-371759/
Ciarán Roberts2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/36076/this-does-affect-silence-accused-person-spouse-required-371759/This does not affect the right to silence as it is not the accused person or there spouse who is being required to give the information. All it does is bring in penalties for failing to follow the existing requirement to report suspicions of child abuse. The seal of confession is cannon (church) law! The requirement to report suspicions of child abuse is state law! STATE LAW HAS TO TRUMP CHURCH LAW! if it doesn’t what stops anyone from setting up there owen religion with laws that require murder, selling drugs to school children, or acts of violence?]]><p>This does not affect the right to silence as it is not the accused person or there spouse who is being required to give the information. All it does is bring in penalties for failing to follow the existing requirement to report suspicions of child abuse. The seal of confession is cannon (church) law! The requirement to report suspicions of child abuse is state law! STATE LAW HAS TO TRUMP CHURCH LAW! if it doesn’t what stops anyone from setting up there owen religion with laws that require murder, selling drugs to school children, or acts of violence?</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/32592/surely-needed-priest-give-conditional-absolution-condition-penitent-371761/
Marianne Aldridge2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/32592/surely-needed-priest-give-conditional-absolution-condition-penitent-371761/Surely all that is needed is for the priest to give only conditional absolution, the condition being that the penitent now goes and fully confesses to the Gardai.]]><p>Surely all that is needed is for the priest to give only conditional absolution, the condition being that the penitent now goes and fully confesses to the Gardai.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/6714/i-dont-forced-however-i-dont-understand-why-371856/
Lisa Saputo2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/6714/i-dont-forced-however-i-dont-understand-why-371856/I don’t think they should be forced however I don’t understand why you would withhold that information anyway.]]><p>I don’t think they should be forced however I don’t understand why you would withhold that information anyway.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/34378/horrifying-usual-church-theyve-proactive-support-child-abuse-371973/
JayK2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/34378/horrifying-usual-church-theyve-proactive-support-child-abuse-371973/Horrifying as usual from the Church, but they’ve been a lot more pro-active in their support of child abuse in the past.]]><p>Horrifying as usual from the Church, but they’ve been a lot more pro-active in their support of child abuse in the past.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/6263/i-voted-above-i-believe-total-discussion-ridiculous-372204/
Hugh O'Rourke2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/6263/i-voted-above-i-believe-total-discussion-ridiculous-372204/I have not voted above as I believe the total discussion to be ridiculous. Think of the practicality- how could you tell what transpires in the confessional unless you bug it? Is this proposed?
Alternatively you could introduce torture – Witch hunt?
This is not the first impossible goal our political leaders have set themselves or the first un-deliverable they promised us.
I hope we do not forget their performance at the next election.

By the way I am voting yes in the upcoming referendum- I distrust the EU bureaucrats less than I distrust the Irish politicians.

]]><p>I have not voted above as I believe the total discussion to be ridiculous. Think of the practicality- how could you tell what transpires in the confessional unless you bug it? Is this proposed?<br />
Alternatively you could introduce torture – Witch hunt?<br />
This is not the first impossible goal our political leaders have set themselves or the first un-deliverable they promised us.<br />
I hope we do not forget their performance at the next election.</p>
<p>By the way I am voting yes in the upcoming referendum- I distrust the EU bureaucrats less than I distrust the Irish politicians.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/6716/i-havent-confession-correct-im-wrong-isnt-curtain-372317/
Dave Reilly2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/6716/i-havent-confession-correct-im-wrong-isnt-curtain-372317/I haven’t been to confession in a while, but correct me if I’m wrong isn’t there a curtain separating the priest and the person, so the priest can’t see who the person is? Isn’t that their loophole?]]><p>I haven’t been to confession in a while, but correct me if I’m wrong isn’t there a curtain separating the priest and the person, so the priest can’t see who the person is? Isn’t that their loophole?</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/35994/the-priests-must-obey-law-obey-god-honour-372357/
Sarah Ryan2012-04-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/35994/the-priests-must-obey-law-obey-god-honour-372357/The priests must obey the Law as they obey God, honour, protect each other. Why should these people who make confessions of their sins , should they be protected? They should not , my only worry be that that these ‘sinners’ won’t go to confession in the future and do more harm.]]><p>The priests must obey the Law as they obey God, honour, protect each other. Why should these people who make confessions of their sins , should they be protected? They should not , my only worry be that that these ‘sinners’ won’t go to confession in the future and do more harm.</p>http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/44399/its-unconstitutional-grouds-freedom-religious-practice-force-priests-501796/
Liam Horan2012-07-15http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/44399/its-unconstitutional-grouds-freedom-religious-practice-force-priests-501796/It’s probably unconstitutional on the grouds of freedom of religious practice, to force priests to break the seal of confession. May need a referendum if people want to go down that road.]]><p>It’s probably unconstitutional on the grouds of freedom of religious practice, to force priests to break the seal of confession. May need a referendum if people want to go down that road.</p>